Hungry Heart: Wild Striker

Hungry Heart: Wild Striker
ハングリーハート WILD STRIKER
(Hangurī Hāto Wild Striker)
Genre Soccer, Inspiration
Manga
Written by Yōichi Takahashi
Published by Akita Shoten
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Weekly Shōnen Champion
Original run 2002 – 2004
Volumes 6
TV anime
Directed by Satoshi Saga
Studio Nippon Animation
Network Animax, Fuji Television
English network Animax Asia
Original run 2002-09-11 – 2003-09-10
Episodes 52
Anime and Manga Portal

Hungry Heart: Wild Striker (ハングリーハート WILD STRIKER Hangurī Hāto Wild Striker?) is a Japanese soccer manga and anime series, authored by Captain Tsubasa creator Yōichi Takahashi. The manga series was serialized in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion. The anime series was produced by Nippon Animation and Animax, and premiered in Japan on Animax between September 11, 2002 and September 10, 2003, spanning a total of 52 episodes.

Animax later aired the series across its other networks worldwide, including its English-language networks in Southeast Asia and South Asia, and its other networks, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Latin America and numerous other regions. The anime series has also been broadcast, translated and dubbed in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Hindi, Urdu and other languages.

German-based sportswear brand Puma were the commercial sponsors for the anime series, with many of the clothing and sportsgear sporting Puma's brand.

Contents

Storyline

Hungry Heart: Wild Striker tells the story of Kanō Kyōsuke, a teenage high school student who at the beginning of the series, has just transferred into Jyoyō Orange High School. Kyōsuke's older brother is the illustrious and extremely famous A.C. Milan soccer player, Kanō Seisuke, who had first taught him how to play and love the game of soccer and whom he has greatly admired since childhood. After Seisuke left Japan to sign with Italian powerhouse A.C. Milan, people started comparing Kyōsuke with his brother and criticizing him due to his different playing style. Living in his brother's shadow, Kyōsuke's love for the game slowly started to evaporate and lessen, and he eventually lost most of his passion for it.

After his transfer to Jyoyō and a fated meeting with Tsujiwaki Miki, an enthusiastic girl with a lot of passion for soccer and who soon reinvigorates his love for the game with her determination to excel, Kyōsuke's deep love and passion for soccer returns to its fullest. He soon joins the Jyoyō men's soccer team and makes several friends, such as his fellow freshmen, Sakai Jefferson, a talented goalkeeper, and Rodrigo, a passionate Brazilian transfer student. Kyōsuke, with the support of his friends at Jyoyō and invigorated with Miki's care and help and by his love and determination to excel in soccer, takes on the best, and discovers an immense and determined passion for the game.

Characters

Note: Names are given in the original Japanese order, with the family name, or surname, followed by the given name. This is also the format used in the English dub.
Kanō Kyōsuke (叶恭介?), (Forward)
Called Orangehead jokingly by some of his friends, Kyōsuke learned the ins and outs of soccer from his illustrious elder brother, A.C. Milan playmaker Kanō Seisuke. After Seisuke's departure, he slowly loses interest in the game, but rediscovers his love for it after a fated meeting with Miki. Initially the coach of Jyoyō's women's soccer team, the determination exhibited by the girls, especially Miki, invigorates his passion for soccer, and soon he joins Jyoyō's men's soccer team, emerging as their ace striker. In the last episode, he becomes a player for AFC Ajax.
Tsujiwaki Miki (辻脇美紀?)
Kyōsuke's closest friend, and the captain of the Jyoyō female soccer team. Despite their frequent arguments, the two eventually fall in love with each other.
Rafael Rodrigo del Franco (ロドリゴ Rodorigo?), (Midfielder)
A transfer student from Brazil who wants to go pro in order to help his large family. While he appears to be cold, self-centered and only driven by money at first, his attitude radically changes after his meeting with Kyosuke. Rodrigo is Jyoyo's playmaker, who earns the interest of several professional J. League clubs. In the final year, he becomes the captain of Akanegaoka.

Sakai Jefferson Kōji (境ジェファーソン公司 Sakai Jefāson Kōji?), (Goalkeeper)

A half-Japanese transfer student from Sweden, known for being attractive to women. Jyoyō's star goalkeeper learns to overcome his repressed fear of injury through his interactions with his new teammates. Sakai shares a strong bond with both Rodrigo and Kyosuke.

Kamata Gohzo (釜田豪三?), (Defender)

Referred to as "Sergeant Chin" by Kyosuke, he played forward in junior high but becomes Jyoyo's defensive leader and vice captain. Kyosuke often joking jabs at him, but respects Kamata deeply. Kamata is currently playing for a regional team and aiming for a spot in the J-League.

Sako Toshiya (佐古俊也?), (Midfielder)

Jyoyo's team captain and playmaker prior to Rodrigo's takeover. Sako is levelheaded, mentally quick and always willing to help his teammates. He has a rivalry with Ryosei's captain and genius playmaker Furuki during high school. He and Furuki end up being teammates in university.

Ichikawa Hiroshi (一河ヒロシ?), (Midfielder)

Known for his hot-headed attitude. In the first year, he has trouble with Rodrigo's individualist attitude, as he believes teamwork is the key for victory. In the second year, he is chosen to be vice captain and has to deal with Yūya and his group.

Esaka Masashi (江坂マサシ?), (Midfielder)

Referred to as "Osaka" by Kyosuke, Esaka seems to take everything in stride and with a smile on his face. While appearing to be no more than comic relief, he is actually quite passionate about his teammates' well-being and the team's performance. He is selected to be Jyoyo's new captain by both Sako and Kamata, who both acknowledged his excellent attitude and drive to improve.

Kiba Yūya (木場優也?), (Forward)

Anime-only character. Called "Nesthead" by Kyōsuke. Kyōsuke's rival during his second year for the forward position. He also falls in love with Miki and battles with Kyōsuke in order to win her heart. He is known for his speed and striking ability.

Shinkawa Masahiko (新川マサヒコ?), (Midfielder)

Anime-only character. The fastest member of the team and Yūya's close friend. He and Muroi joined soccer to help Yūya make it into the J-League as a way to thank him for getting them out of their lives as delinquents. He is known for his incredible speed and dribbling ability.

Muroi Kazuya (室井和也?), (Defender)

Anime-only character. Replaces Kamata in Kyosuke's second year as a defender and is known for his Mohawk hairstyle. Like Shinkawa, he started playing soccer to help Yūya make it into the J-League.
Murakami Kazuo (村上監督?)
The coach of the Jyōyo men's soccer team. He was formerly a powerful forward for the Japanese National Team.
Mori Kazuto (森一人?)
Manager of the Jyōyo men's soccer team. He used to play soccer in middle school, but due to an injury cannot play anymore.
Ōmori Fukuko (大森福子?)
Jyōyo dormitory's cook.
Dōmoto Kaori (堂本香織?)
Jyōyo's nutritionist and team doctor. The girlfriend of Seisuke, who asked her to watch over his brother in his absence.
Kanō Seisuke (叶成介?)
Kyōsuke's older brother. When he was younger, he led both his middle and high school's soccer teams to the nationals and won, and was in the top three in high school. A world renowned player before 17, he also had a J. League contract before age 21, and later became the A.C. Milan star and captain. He also had excellent academic grades.

Carlos Viva (カルロスビバ?), (Defender)

A transfer student from Colombia who wants to go pro in order to help his large family. While he appears to be cold, self-centered and only driven by money at first, his attitude radically changes after his meeting with Kyosuke. Rodrigo is Jyoyo's playmaker,
Furuki
Ryosei's team captain. He plays ID (Important Data) soccer and later plays on the same college team as Sako.
Makoto Iguchi
Kokuryō's ace goalkeeper. He also plays with the Japan youth team.
Kamiyama Yuujirou
Kokuryō's ace striker. Kyōsuke's rival as the best striker in the region and a member of the Japan youth team.

Fujimori Minoru (藤森稔?) and Fujimori Kaoru (藤森薫?), (midfielders)

Kokuryō's dynamic duo. They are members of the Japan youth team.

Yuki Kagami (加賀美勇樹?), (midfielder)

Known as Kanō Seisuke, Jr, He is Tenryū's captain and becomes Kyōsuke's rival as the best player in high school soccer in Japan.
Masashi "Gon" Nakayama (中山雅史?)
Like Jyōyo's coach Murakami, he was a former player for the national team. He was the first man to ever score a goal in a World Cup for Japan, since this was their first time to play in the tournament.
Narumi Keisuke
Biological father of Kyosuke, who held a mark in Japanese football. Lost his life in a car accident shortly before being called to the Japan national football team. Kyosuke was in the car, but managed to survive the accident. He holds a record of scoring in the prefecture before Kyosuke broke it.
Narumi Mitsuko
Biological mother of Kyosuke. She lost her life in the car accident along with her husband.
Coach Numakawa
Head coach of Tenryu High and Japan Under 22 delegate.
Toda and Ueno
Both are side backs for Jyoyō. Kamata teaches them some defensive techniques in the first year. Sakai also tells them what to do in some trainings and matches.

Teams

Staff

Anime theme songs

Opening theme songs
  1. Kids Alive - "2nd Stage" (ep. 1-42)
    Lyrics: Keiji, Yoshiyasu Ichikawa. Music: Keiji. Arrangement: Kids Alive, Junichi "Igao" Igarashi
  2. Natsuki Katō as Miki Tsujiawaki featuring Athens Generation - "Hungry Heart (Kiseki no Tsubasa)" (ハングリーハート〜奇跡の翼〜 Hungry Heart (Miracle Wings)?) (ep. 43-52)
    Lyrics: Mami Takubo. Music: Hiroaki Ōno. Arrangement: Jun Asahi
Ending theme songs
  1. Utaibito Hane - "Mi Title" (未タイトル Titleless?) (ep. 1-12)
    Lyrics: Shinichi Yasuoka. Music: Tetsuro Honda. Arrangement: Junjiro Seki.
  2. Kokia - "Tell Tell Bōzu" (tell tell 坊主 Tell Tell Teru teru bozu?) (ep. 13-39)
    Lyrics: Kokia. Music: Kokia. Arrangement: Taisuke Sawashika.
  3. Kokia - "Watashi no Taiyō" (私の太陽 My Sun?) (ep. 40-51)
    Lyrics: Kokia. Music: Kokia. Arrangement: Taisuke Sawashika.
  4. Kids Alive - "2nd Stage" (ep. 52)

External links

Networks
Asia • India • Pakistan • Eastern Europe • Germany • Portugal • Spain • South Korea
Brands and awards
Original productions
People and companies
Website: animax.co.jp